Combination handle and pump for steam and spray irons



Mam}! 1968 R. s. KNAPP ETAL 3,373,515

COMBINATION HANDLE AND PUMP FOR STEAM AND SPRAY IRONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 1, 1965 e p? N 5 1 8% /M a///// 7 n m m 0 g a Y 4?, QW mw w mm \l I ma M N hw r WW QW as e S N a 8 NW N, w/N F. M .Q m 1 mm mm} N M um WW C ww/w Ff @m. J WW w \\S\ w NW WQ WVwm u. P mnv mu w mfi %Q\ ms QNV n. mi .W m mm Q% N\\ b\\ w\\ Qw N N E March 1968 R. s. KNAPP ETAL 3,

COMBINATION HANDLE AND PUMP FOR STEAM AND SPRAY IRONS Filed Dec. 1, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 12? I U 124 108 5 J18 I +134 a: 90

E March 19, 1968 R's. KNAPP ETAL 3,3 3,

' I COMBINATION HANDLE AND PUMP FOR STEAM AND SPRAY IRONS Filed Dec. 1, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Rofierf Edi 72 (2 0 C72 arias F ('aiizi/Ze 7' z United States Patent Ofiice 3,373,516 Patented Mar. 19, 1968 3,373,516 CUMBINA'IIQN HANDLE AND PUMP FOR STEAM AND SIRAY IRONS Robert S. Knapp and Charles F. Camilleri, St. Louis, Mo.,

assignors to Knapp-Monarch Co., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 510,820 6 (Ilaims. (CI. 38-78) ABSTRACT (IF THE DISCLQSURE An improved spray for a spray iron is provided by defining integral in the handle itself a chamber into which water is ingested and pressurized by a piston for movement to the spray nozzle through a water outlet passage defined in the handle. Two springs are used, a light one in the chamber between the piston and an intake check valve, and a heavier one in combination with a push button movable with the piston. The water outlet passage is formed by an open channel in the handle in combination with a cover member cemented in place, so that both the handle and cover may be formed of molded plastic material. The water outlet passage connects to the lower end of the chamber and includes means limiting its size so that priming may be easily effected.

This invention relates to an improved pumping device for spray irons and it particularly relates to an improved pump for steam-spray irons which is highly economical and trouble free in operation.

In U.S. Patent No. 3,038,269, there is shown and described a novel steam-spray iron. Although this iron has been highly satisfactory in operation and has been a great commercial success, a significant improvement from the standpoint of economics and from the standpoint of trouble free operation has now been made in the construction of the pump for the water spraying portion of the iron.

In the construction of the spray pump shown in the said patent, stainless steel or brass were used for the construction of the piston and the piston rod while the cylinder wall was made of brass. These metal parts were located in the water supply tank and were proximate to the hot soleplate. Due to the location of these metal pump parts, they were subjected to heat while undergoing maximum exposure to the corrosive action of the water. The piston with the Oring thereon tended to stick or bind against the metal wall as a result of the undesired corrosive buildup on the metal pump parts.

Although such binding of the piston in itself was not considered to be such a serious problem as to require redesign, it is always desirable in highly competitive industries to effect savings in manufacturing costs. Therefore, when changes in construction will result in significant economic savings while at the same time provide an improved operation, such changes are considered to be very important to the manufacturer. In view of these considerations, it is an important object of this invention to provide an improved spray pump device for steamspray irons wherein great economic savings are provided while at the same time certain operating problems encountered in prior art constructions are substantially avoided.

It is also an important object of this invention to provide an improved pump for steam-spray irons wherein the pump component parts are not subjected to significant corrosive action due to the construction of the parts from plastic and the location of the parts away from the heated soleplate.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved pump for steam-spray irons wherein a portion of the improved pumping device is integrally included as a part of the molded plastic handle portion of the iron in order to avoid the use of metallic parts which are subject to corrosion.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved spray pump which is spaced from the water tank supply and heating element of the iron in order to greatly reduce any adverse corrosive effects resulting from proximity thereto.

It is also a further object of this invention to provide an improved spray device for steam-spray irons wherein the device is particularly characterized by its simplicity and economy in construction, manufacture, and operation.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved spray device for a steam-spray iron wherein the device is substantially trouble free due to the avoidance of the use of metallic parts which are normally subject to corrosion.

Further purposes and objects of this invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

Particular embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view through one embodiment of a steam-spray iron utilizing our improved spray pump;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the handle portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 and particularly showing the pump parts;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view, similar to FIGURE 2, except that the construction for defining the water channel extending from the pump cylinder to the spray nozzle of our device is shown in greater detail;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the front portion of an alternate embodiment of a steamspray iron which utilizes our improved spray pump; and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 1, there is shown a steam-spray iron 10 which has mounted therein one embodiment of our improved spray pump, generally indicated at 12. The iron 10 generally includes a soleplate 14, a hood 16, and a handle 18. The hood 16 is secured to the soleplate 14 by an elongated threaded bolt 20. The molded plastic handle 18 is secured to the hood 16 by any suitable means, including an upwardly extending threaded bolt 22 passing into the rear post 24 of the handle 18.

The soleplate 14 contains a heating element, such as shown at 26, and the heating element 26 is electrically connected to electrical strap leads 28 which are connected to a power cord (not shown). The forward portion of the soleplate 14 is covered by a cover plate 30. The cover plate 30 covers a depression formed in the upper surface of the soleplate 14 so as to define a steam generating chamber 32. A steam channel 34 is in communication with the steam generating chamber 32 so that steam may pass outwardly through the bottom of the soleplate 14, as through the steam outlet openings 36.

A water tank 38 is enclosed between the hood 16 and the soleplate 14. The water tank 38 is maintained in place beneath the hood 16 in any suitable manner. The rear portion of the tank 38 rests upon a bracket 40 which is secured to a heel 42 at the rear of the soleplate 14. A central aperture 44 is provided in the water tank 38 and the threaded bolt 20 for securing the hood 16 to the soleplate 14 passes therethrough. The forward portion of'the water tank 38 is suspended in place between the forward post 46 of the handle 18 and water delivery means 48. A downwardly extending cylindrical portion 50 on the forward post 46 is received within an aperture provided in the forward central portion of the water tank 38. A resilient gasket member 52 is snugly positioned around the cylindrical portion 50 and is interposed between the lower surface of the forward post 46 and the upper surface of the water tank 38 in order to provide sealing engagement therebetween. The water delivery member 48 extends into a suitable aperture in the cover plate 30 and an upper grooved flange 54 is provided for sealing receiving a circular aperture provided in the lower surface of the water tank 38 so that there is sealing engagement between the member 48 and the tank 38in order to prevent leakage therebetween.

A valve stem assembly 56 extends downwardly through an upright aperture 58 provided in the front post 46 of the handle 16. The valve stem assembly 56 is of conventional construction and is provided with an actuating button 60 at its upper end. In the conventional manner, as the button 60 is depressed, the valve stem assembly 56 is lifted from sealing engagement with the outlet opening 62 in the nozzle 48 so that water is released to the steam chamber 32 for the generation of steam. An upwardly and inwardly extending fill opening 64 is provided in the front end of the handle 18 and intersects the upright aperture 58. When the iron is placed upon its heel so that it is in a substantially upright position, water is poured into the opening 64 for passage downwardly into the water tank 38 through the fill aperture 58.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 1, a thermostat assembly, generally 66, is mounted in the front portion of the iron 10 and is provided to maintain the proper temperature for the soleplate 14 depending upon the particular fabric which is being ironed. The thermostat assembly 66 maintains the heating element 26 and thereby the soleplate 14 at the appropriate temperature. The thermostat 68 is secured to the toe of the soleplate 14 by means of a mounting screw 70. A mounting plate 71 is secured between the head of the screw 70 and the thermostat 68 and is threaded to receive a vertically adjustable bushing 72. An inner trim screw 74 is threadably received interior of the bushing 72 and is provided for adjusting the setting of the thermostat to a final accurate temperature calibration for the iron. A shaft extension 76 extends upwardly from the bushing 72 and is received by a temperature control lever 78 and the forward end of the lever 78 has a knob 80 mounted thereon. A dished spring washer 82 is located at the upper end of the shaft extension 76 and is mounted between the lever 78 and the plastic cap member 84 and acts to snugly hold the lever 78' in the downwardly tensioned position so that the lever 78 does not freely move in the slot defined between the cap 84 and the body of the handle portion 16 so that once the thermostat adjustment has been made, it will remain adjusted.

The shaft extension 76 is loosely positioned within a ring sleeve 86 which extends downwardly in a suitable aperture provided in the handle portion 16. The sleeve 86 extends through the transverse fill opening 64. The sleeve 86 provides a rigid member which can be sealed so that no water enters the thermostat area when the iron is filled. To assist in the prevention of water entering the thermostat area, a resilient gasket 88, is mounted around the sleeve 86 and is interposed between the top front of the hood 16 and the bottom portion of the handle forward post 46. Preferably, the gasket 88 is constructed of a neoprene or silicone rubber so as to be resistant to heat. The sleeve 86 also provides sufiicient space for the necessary diametral clearance for free rotary movement of the shaft extension 76 therein so as to avoid binding and to permit free adjustment of the thermostat 68.

Referring now to the FIGURES 14, the important features of the construction of my improved spray pump 12 are shown in detail. It is important that an upright pump chamber 90, cylindrical in shape, be integrally molded or formed within the molded plastic handle 18 so that the advantages of the present invention are fully realized. The plastic used for constructing the handle 18 may be of any of the usual plastic materials utilized for such constructions, such as Bakelite. A water intake channel 92 extends downwardly from the pump chamber 90 and is co-axial therewith. The channel 92 includes a neck portion 94 which defines a restriction in the channel 92 immediately prior to passage of water upwardly into the chamber 90. The Water inlet channel 92 includes a shoulder portion 96 against which a metallic water intake or pick-up tube 98 abuts. The pick-up tube, which is sealingly received within the widened portion of the channel 92, extends downwardly, as particularly shown in FIGURE 1, into the water tank 38 for permitting the intake of water therefrom. The pick-up tube 98 is turned laterally towards the valve stem 56 and a ring support member 100 is mounted on the open lower end of the intake tube 98. A filter screen 102 is mounted on the support ring 100 and the screen 102 is in sealing engagement with the valve stem 56. The filter screen 102 prevents the entry of forcing particles upwardly through the channel 92 into the pump chamber 90 in order to assure proper operation of the spray pump by substantially avoiding clogging of the various channels and parts used in our device.

The lower end of the pump chamber 90 is provided with a conical portion 104 which tapers downwardly and inwardly from the Walls of the pump chamber 90 to the neck portion 94 of the water inlet channel. The conical portion 104 cooperates with a ball check 106 to define a check valve for permitting the intake of water into the chamber 90 while preventing the reverse flow of water downwardly through the channel 92. A light spring 107 is located within the chamber 90 and is positioned between the ball check 106 and the lower surface of a pump piston 108 to normally maintain the ball 106 in sealing contact with the conical portion 104 of the chamber 90.

The pump piston 108 is integrally formed with an actuating member, as a button 110, which projects upwardly from the handle portion 18 of the iron 10 through a suitable aperture 112 provided in the cap 34. In order to prevent undesired upward projection of the button member through the aperture 112, a lower lip 114 is provided around the lower periphery of the button 110 for engaging the lower surface of the cap member 84. The piston 108 is formed at the lower end of the elongated cylindrical extension at the bottom of the actuating button 110. The extension 116 thereby terminates with the piston 108 which is slidably maintained in sealing engagement with the walls of the chamber 90. A peripheral groove 118 is provided in the piston portion 108 for the purpose of receiving an O-ring 120 which is in the sliding sealing engagement with the walls of the pump chamber 90. Also, the upper portion of the chamber 90 is tapered outwardly so that the O-ring 120 is readily received into the chamber 90 without squeezing of the O-ring so as to avoid damage thereto.

In order to maintain the actuating button 110 and thereby the piston 108 in the normally raised position, a biasing spring member 122 is interposed between the lower surface of the button 110 and a shelf 124, in the handle portion 18, which is adjacent the open upper end of the pump chamber 90. The spring 122 thereby normally maintains the button 110 and thereby the piston 108 in the raised position while permitting the depression of the button 110 and the piston 108 within the chamber 90 to effect operation of the pump.

It is one of the important features of the embodiment of FIGURES 1-5 that a curved outlet channel 126 extend from the upwardly extending pump outlet port 128 to the spray nozzle 130- at the front portion of the handle 18, the channel being curved to by-pass the upright opening 58 and the shaft extension 76. The upwardly tapered outlet 128 extends from the upper end of the conical portion 104 of the chamber 90 to the substantially horizontal outlet channel 126. It is one of the unique features of this invention that the outlet portion 126 is substantially cane-shaped or J-shaped to provide the required by-pass. It is also significant in the applicants construction that because the handle portion 18 is constructed by compression molding, an open channel 132 is initially formed due to the limitations of molding techniques. The open channel 132 is seen most clearly in FIGURE 4. After formation of the channel 132, in order to prevent leaking or passage of water outwardly therethrough, a cane-shaped cover member 134 is provided for covering the open channel 132. The cane member 134 is formed of the same material from which the handle 18 is constructed and is snugly received within a groove 136 formed immediately above the open channel 132. A suitable plastic cement is used for maintaining the cane within the groove 136 to thereby provide a cover which prevents leakage of water.

A spray nozzle assembly 130 is threadably received in a downwardly tapered aperture located immediately above the fill aperture 58. The spray nozzle is of conventional construction and includes a check valve portion 138 therein so that the check valve opens to permit spraying of water therethrough upon pressurized Water passing through theoutlet port 126 and into communication with the aperture into which the spray nozzle 130 is received.

Referring to FIGURES 6- and 7, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the invention. The structural features of the pump portion 140 of the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7 are substantially the same as that of the pump portion 12 of the embodiment of FIGURES 1-5. The only structural differences involved are relatively minor structural differences, but nevertheless, these will be briefly described.

The pump 140 of the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7, includes a' cylindrical pump chamber 142 having an inlet 144 at its lower end which communicates with a metal pick-up tube 146. The pick-up tube 146 extends into the water tank 148 and the lower end thereof is covered by a filter screen 150. A check valve ball 152 is located in the lower end of the chamber 142 and is received withina conical portion immediately above the water inlet 144. The check valve ball 152 is normally maintained in the closed position by means of a light spring 154 which is interposed between the check valve ball 152 and the lower surface of the pump piston 156. An actuating botton 158 extends upwardly through an aperture 160 in the cap portion 162 which is secured to the handle 164 by suitable means. A lower flange 166 is provided on the button 158 to engage the lower surface of the cap 162 so as to prevent upward movement of the button 158 out of the aperture 160. An upward biasing spring 168 is received within a well 170 provided in the button and is also received by an upwardly projecting guide 172 positioned slightly above and laterally of the pump chamber 142. A stem 174 which is integral with the button 158 joins the button to the piston 156 in the chamber 142.

The primary difference between the first embodiment and the present embodiment of our invention is that the water outlet port 176 of the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7 is molded integral with the handle 164 and, in contrast to the first embodiment, no cover member, such as the cane-shaped member 134, is required to provide a water tight outlet channel from the pump chamber to the spray nozzle. The outlet port 176 extends in a downwardly tapered direction from the chamber 142 and is positioned below the water tank fill port 180 which is defined in the front portion of the handle 164. The port 176 intersects the upright aperture 182 provided for the steam valve stem assembly 184. It is important that a fluid tight sleeve 186 be positioned in the upright aperture 182 at the place of intersection between the aperture 182 and the outlet port 176. The inner cylindrical surface of the sleeve 186 permits sliding movement of the valve stem assembly 184 therein while the outer surface provides a water-tight seal between the aperture and the sleeve 186.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 7, the spray nozzle 178 is of conventional construction and includes a check valve portion 188 which permits water flow in an outward direction only. An apertured plug 190 is received within a threaded aperture 192 at the terminal portion of the port 176. The plug 190 is interposed between the spray nozzle 178 and the inner end of the threaded aperture 192. The purpose of the plug 190 is to avoid the presence of excessively large spaces which must first be filled with water or primed before water can be sprayed out of the nozzle 178. By avoiding the presence of unduly large spaces in the porting of the spray pump it is possible to prime the pump with only one or two depressions of the actuating button 158. The avoidance of unnecessarily large spaces is also accomplished in the first embodiment of FIGURES 1-5.

Although the operation of the embodiments of our improved pump should be clear from the previous description, a brief description of the operation will be provided. With particular reference to the embodiment of FIGURE 1, after the water tank 38 has been filled with water, and the user desires to spray water from the nozzle 138, the actuating button 118 is depressed in opposition to the upwardly biasing pressure of the raising spring 122. This depresses the piston portion 108 within the chamber and maintains the ball check 106 in the closed position. Simultaneously, air is expelled from the chamber 90 through the outlet port 126 and through the check valve 138 of the spray nozzle 130. The button is then released and the lifting spring 122 raises the button 118 as Well as the piston 108. The expulsion of air from the chamber 90 out of the spray nozzle 13% creates a partial vacuum within the pump chamber 90 so that atmospheric pressure acting upon the water in the water tank raises the water in the pick-up tube 98. The actuating button 60 is then depressed one or two additional times in order to prime the pump, as by filling the pick-up tube 98, the chamber 98, and the outlet port 126 with water. After a few depressions of the button, water thereby is sprayed out of the spray nozzle in the desired manner. The operation of the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7 is substantially the same as the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 5 and therefore a specific description of the operation of this embodiment need not be provided.

It is seen from the foregoing description that the applicants have accomplished all of the objects of the present invention. A highly economically constructed spray pump assembly for steam-spray irons has been provided by molding the actuating member and spray pump charnber out of non-corrosive plastic material. The spray chamber itself is integrally formed within the handle of the iron assembly, thereby providing a highly economical construction. A further advantage of the applicants construction is that this economical construction leads to substantial avoidance of corrosion problems which often resulted from the use of metallic parts in the pump as sembly of prior art constructions. By avoidance of such metallic parts, corrosion build up with the resulting malfunctioning is substantially prevented.

While in the foregoing there has been provided a detailed description of particular embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that all equivalents obvious to those having skill in the art are to be included within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An improved device for spraying water from a spray iron of the type having a molded plastic handle portion, a spray nozzle at the forward portion of said iron, and a water supply tank disposed below said handle portion, said improved spraying device comprising a pump chamber integrally formed in said handle portion, channel means extending between said chamber and said water tank so as to provide for passage of water from said tank to said chamber, a water outlet passage integrally formed in said handle portion and passing from said pump chamber to said spray nozzle, check valve means in said chamber for permitting the intake of water into said chamber through said channel means from said tank, piston means movable in intake and discharge strokes and in sliding sealing contact with said pump chamber, whereby water enters said chamber through said channel means upon said intake stroke and water discharges from said chamber through said water outlet passage to said spray nozzle upon said discharge stroke, a push button projecting upwardly from said handle portion for actuating said slidable piston means, said push button being otfset from said piston means but connected to said piston means to be movable therewith, a first spring means interposed between said piston means and said check valve means in said chamber for normally maintaining said check valve means in the closed position, and a second spring means cting against said push button for biasing it One direction, but permitting movement of said piston means toward said check valve means in response to movement of said push button.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first spring means is a light spring relative to said second spring means.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein the water outlet passage connects to the chamber adjacent the lower end thereof, and including means for limiting the size of the water outlet passage in said handle portion so as to limit the amount of priming needed before water will be sprayed from the spray nozzle.

4. A device as in claim 1 in combination with an upright control stem, for controlling flow of water from the water supply tank, located in a line directly between the chamber and the spray nozzle, and wherein the water outlet passage connects to the chamber adjacent the lower end thereof, and the water outlet passage being shaped 8v and arranged to by-pass the control stem and limiting the amount of priming needed before water will be sprayed from the spray nozzle.

5. An improved device for spraying water from a spray iron of the type having a molded plastic handle portion, a spray nozzle at the forward portion of said iron, and a water supply tank disposed below said handle portion, said improved spraying device comprising a pump chamber integrally formed in said handle portion, channel means extending between said chamber and said water tank so as to provide for passage of water from said tank to said chamber, a water outlet passage integrally formed in said handle portion and passing from said pump chamber to said spray nozzle, check valve means in said chamber for permitting the intake of water into said chamber through said channel means from said tank, piston means movable in intake and discharge strokes and in sliding sealing contact with said pump chamber, whereby water enters said chamber through said channel means upon said intake stroke and Water discharges from said chamber through said water outlet passage to said spray nozzle upon said discharge stroke, said integrally formed water outlet passage being defined in part by a curved open channel integrally formed in said handle portion and extends from communication with the lower portion of said chamber to said spray nozzle, and a cover member in said handle for said open channel providing an enclosed pressure sealed channel extending from said chamber to said spray nozzle.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said open channel is cane-shaped and said cover member is cane-shaped and is cemented into sealing engagement with said open channel. I

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,770,896 11/ 1956 Holmberg 3878 3,038,269 6/1962 Knapp 3877 3,129,523 4/1964 Taylor 38-78 3,264,764 8/1966 Yieceli 3878 X 3,287,837 11/1966 Franklin 3877 PATRICK D; LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

